Robert Gladden: Attorney says Gladden brought gun for defense

Gladden is accused of bringing a gun to Perry Hall High and shooting a 17-year-old peer. Photo: Baltimore County Police

The 15-year-old suspect accused of opening fire at Perry Hall High School this week was trying to intimidate bullies, not harm his classmates, his attorney says.

The suspect, Robert Gladden, is being charged as an adult and is facing a charge of first degree attempted murder.

A bail review hearing scheduled for Wednesday was postponed Wednesday because he is still at a state psychiatric hospital where he was sent for an evaluation. A new date for his bail review has not been set.

Gladden's attorney argues that the teenager brought the shotgun to Perry Hall High School only to intimidate bullies and not cause harm. The attorney claims the teen fired the gun in the school cafeteria after a guidance counselor tackled him to the ground and the young victim was struck in the back.

Authorities dispute this defense.

"Robert Gladden's conversation with investigators have not indicated bullying was an issue in this case," Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson said.

The first-day-of-school shooting was preceded by a haunting message on Gladden's Facebook page: "First day of school, last day of my life. "

It appears the sophomore got the gun from his Middleriver, Md. home where he lived with his father.

After Gladden was taken into custody Monday, police executed a search warrant at the Kingsville home where he lives with his mother and stepfather.

Court documents show they found eleven guns, including shotguns, rifles, a 9mm handgun and two antique pistols. Police also found a spent rifle casing in Gladden's bedroom. His stepfather, Andrew Piper, is facing charges related to those guns and illegal possession of marijuana. The charges are unrelated to the shooting.

According to charging documents, Gladden rode the bus to school, and went to two classes, all while hiding a disassembled shotgun, 21 rounds of ammunition and a bottle of vodka inside a black back pack.